6 miles southeast of Aitkin
Aitkin County, Minnesota · 46.4592° N, 93.6257° W
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Updated 19 Oct 2026, 5:40 pm EDT.
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Minnesota DNR lake survey, fetched 15 Oct 2026. Not for navigation.
1 public access site on Elm Island Lake.
Minnesota DNR public water accesses, fetched 15 Oct 2026.
Minnesota DNR stocking reports list 3 stockings of Elm Island Lake in 3 of the years 2016 to 2022. The most recent, in 2022, included 6,716 walleye fingerlings. Species stocked: walleye.
Latest: 2022: 6,716 walleye fingerlings.
Source: Minnesota DNR Fisheries (LakeFinder stocking reports), fetched 15 Oct 2026. How we measure
Measured from Minnesota DNR contours. How we measure
Minnesota DNR’s latest standard fish survey of Elm Island Lake was in June 2023: 9 gill nets and 9 trap nets caught 15 species. The DNR also ran a targeted survey in June 2025; this section uses the latest standard survey.
Walleye per gill net, standard surveys: 2003 0.3 · 2008 1.4 · 2013 0.6 · 2019 1.3 · 2023 1.2
Bluegill per trap net, standard surveys: 2003 16 · 2008 16 · 2013 8.9 · 2019 6.6 · 2023 17
Walleye: 11 measured, 15 to 23 in, half 17 in or longer; average 2.2 lb, normal (normal 1.7–3.6 lb).
Northern pike: 119 measured, 11 to 31 in, half 22 in or longer; average 2.7 lb, normal (normal 1.6–3 lb).
Black crappie: 321 measured, 4 to 9 in, half 6 in or longer; average 0.16 lb, below normal (normal 0.2–0.4 lb).
Bluegill: 189 measured, 3 to 8 in, half 5 in or longer; average 0.13 lb, normal (normal 0.1–0.2 lb).
Yellow perch: 76 measured, 5 to 7 in, half 6 in or longer; average 0.1 lb, normal (normal 0.1–0.2 lb).
Also caught: black bullhead, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, shorthead redhorse, white sucker, yellow bullhead.
Source: Minnesota DNR Fisheries lake survey, 12 Jun 2023, via LakeFinder, fetched 15 Oct 2026. Normal range: DNR’s range for lakes of the same class (43 classes, grouped by water chemistry and shape). Each line has its own scale. How we measure
Measured water clarity averages about 6 ft: the Secchi depth across 6 readings, 2008–2023.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and volunteer Secchi readings, via Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, fetched 15 Oct 2026.
Minnesota DNR lake survey; straight-line miles.
Elm Island Lake is 25 feet at its deepest point, measured by Minnesota DNR survey. It covers 520 acres.
Yes. 1 public access site is listed: Elm Island Lake Public Water Access Site.
Yes. Minnesota DNR stocking reports list 3 stockings of it in 3 of the years 2016 to 2022. The most recent, in 2022, included 6,716 walleye fingerlings.
Minnesota DNR’s June 2023 standard survey caught 15 species, most often black crappie, bluegill, northern pike and yellow perch.
About 64% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Minnesota DNR depth contours.